Rio's eyes widened in astonishment as he scrutinized the holographic display. "Two sets of DNA? How is that even possible?"
"I wish I knew," replied Mr. Kagiso, his tone heavy with concern. "It's as perplexing as it sounds."
Rio leaned closer to the hologram, studying the intricate data patterns. "This is highly unusual. It suggests some form of genetic manipulation or tampering."
Mr. Kagiso nodded gravely. "That's my fear. But who would have the capability and motive to do such a thing?"
The weight of the situation hung heavily between them, the implications of the revelation sinking in. Rio's mind raced with possibilities, each more troubling than the last.
As Rio continued to examine the holographic data, his curiosity got the better of him. "Who does the other DNA belong to, apart from Batho's?"
Mr. Kagiso hesitated for a moment, his expression grave. "It belongs to someone from three hundred years ago."
Rio's shock was palpable. "Three hundred years ago? How is that even possible?"
Despite the technology available today, it was still not possible to alter the genetic information in a living person. Incorporating the special alloy into the human body was the latest major breakthrough in the last century.
Mr. Kagiso's gaze turned sombre. "I don't have all the answers, Rio. But this revelation raises more questions than it answers. We're dealing with something far beyond our comprehension."
Rio's mind reeled with the implications of what Mr. Kagiso had just revealed. The idea that someone from centuries past could be connected to this case was both baffling and unsettling.
"Have you identified that person?" inquired Rio, his curiosity reaching its peak now, knowing that Oceane had just offered him a job that he wouldn't refuse.
With a swipe of his finger on his AD, a picture appeared on the hologram - a man in his fifties, with a prominent jawline, deep-set eyes, and a pointed nose. The name below read Mr. Khamis.
What was even more shocking was the description beneath the picture. The man had disappeared from a flight three hundred years ago and was presumed dead. The missing plane was never found. This incident was famously known as the Missing Flight 2030, a name that immediately brought Rio's mind back to his teenage years when he had studied about this incident.
One of the biggest flight disappearances in history. All flights operated by SkyVista Airways that flew over coordinates 12°31'58.4"S 79°17'01.5"E on the 9th of every month in the year 2030 vanished from radar once they reached the location.
It remained an unsolved mystery in history.
The airline was forced to shut down due to this incident. All flights that passed this location on the 9th disappeared in the year 2030, with twelve flights and more than 6000 lives lost and never found.
As Rio absorbed the shocking revelation, a chill ran down his spine. The implications were staggering - a man presumed dead for centuries suddenly reappearing in the DNA of a person alive today.
Drawing a deep breath, Rio nodded. "I understand your concern regarding the information. I'll do my best to solve this case. But first, I need more details about your son," Mr. Kagiso gave a slight nod, indicating his approval for Rio to proceed. "You mentioned he was different, but how? Perhaps we can start from there?"
Mr. Kagiso leaned back, his gaze distant as he recalled Batho's peculiar behavior. "It's hard to explain," he began slowly, "he seems...almost not himself at times. His mannerisms, his speech patterns—they're not quite the same as before. And there's an unsettling emptiness in his eyes, as if something vital is missing. Even he called us with his unique nicknames which were only known to him."
Rio's brow furrowed as he absorbed Mr. Kagiso's description. "Has he exhibited any other unusual behavior?"
Mr. Kagiso shook his head, his expression troubled. "Not that I can pinpoint. But there's an undeniable difference in him. It's as if he's a mere echo of the son I once knew."
Facing the vague description, Rio could only attribute it to paternal instinct.
"What about Mrs. Kagiso? Did she also notice something different?" asked Rio, not to pry, but to gather as much information as possible before starting his investigation.
Despite Mr. Kagiso's effort to maintain his composure, Rio could tell that he was troubled by this question. "She was devastated when Batho first went missing. Now, with Batho's return, her life has returned to normal," Mr. Kagiso's eyes were distant. "If she noticed anything, I couldn't tell. She seems normal."
Rio noted Mr. Kagiso's hesitation, sensing there might be more to Mrs. Kagiso's reaction than met the eye. However, he didn't press further, respecting the delicate nature of the situation.
Rio nodded. After conversing with Mr. Kagiso, he could now discern why his skills would be invaluable in investigating this case. Oceane and the W Club didn't just recruit anyone; they sought individuals tailored to their requirements.
"I'll begin by tracking down Inspector Jaquan," Rio stated after a moment of reflection.
Mr. Kagiso nodded slowly. "I want the investigation to remain clandestine. No one else should be privy to this." His solemn gaze bore into Rio, causing him to shift uncomfortably. Mr. Kagiso possessed a knack for exerting influence over those around him, perhaps something innate.
"May I suggest involving you in the investigation as well?" ventured Rio, an idea taking shape in his mind. He waited for Mr. Kagiso's suspicious gaze to soften into a hesitant nod. "If the current Batho bears the DNA of two people, I'm not sure if he would also possess the memories of the other person."
Rio paused, allowing Mr. Kagiso to grasp the gravity of the situation.
As realization dawned, Mr. Kagiso raised his eyebrows and narrowed his eyes. "You mean..."
Rio nodded. "Yes, as much as the individual may try to conceal the information, they would inevitably let slip something when caught off guard."
"If we can extract some information from Batho, it could provide us with a direction to follow," suggested Rio.
Mr. Kagiso pursed his lips, weighing the suggestion carefully. He had intended to keep the investigation covert, away from his wife's knowledge and, of course, Batho's. Probing questions about the missing flight three hundred years ago could undoubtedly raise suspicions, given the circumstances.
"Proceed cautiously, and we may avoid arousing any suspicions," replied Rio.
As Rio awaited Mr. Kagiso's response, he retrieved his AD from his pocket and quickly jotted down Inspector Jaquan's name. The entire incident was enveloped in a veil of mystery, and he needed to start somewhere to gather leads. If Inspector Jaquan's disappearance was connected to Batho, it suggested that he possessed crucial information.
Mr. Kagiso nodded in understanding, his expression a mix of apprehension and determination. "Be careful, Rio. This investigation is treading on dangerous ground."
As they parted ways, Rio's mind buzzed with plans and strategies.
"But of course, first things first," thought Rio. He sent a text message to Oceane: "I'll take the case."
Rio was hesitant to commit to joining the W Club. He simply wanted to investigate the case and see where it led. He couldn't risk joining a club that might expose him to the government.
While waiting for Oceane's response to confirm the recruitment, she replied with a simple "OK. Let me know if you need help."
Mr. Kagiso had already left the park while Rio remained seated on the bench, contemplating his next move. He needed to head home to work on his AD and locate Inspector Jaquan's whereabouts. This task would require the Pastolium part in his body to access the government central tracking system.
With that thought, Rio rose to his feet and made his way back to his house. Along the lakeside path, a gentle breeze whispered through the reeds, carrying with it a sense of tranquility that wrapped around him like a comforting embrace. As he walked, Rio couldn't shake the feeling of warmth that suffused his heart, igniting a fire within that burned with newfound purpose and meaning.
For too long, Rio had been living a shadowy existence, confined to the depths of his basement in Slateville, engaging in illicit trades simply to survive.
It was the first time in years that Rio felt a glimmer of hope, a sense that perhaps there was more to life than the darkness that had consumed him. The words of Mr. Kagiso echoed in his mind, reminding him of the purpose he had glimpsed on that bench overlooking the lake.
Upon arriving home, Rio made a beeline for his basement. Despite his initial intention to keep the functions of his computer minimalistic, akin to those used by humans centuries ago, he couldn't resist installing some modern software that allowed him to operate in the present era.
The basic capabilities of the computer before his modifications were too limited for Rio's needs.
The Pastolium on his left chest had a tiny port to connect to his AD - this was the only Pastolium he allowed to stay in his body to continue monitoring the government activities.
To know where Inspector Jaquan might be hiding or taken, Rio would have to look into his background. With the basic information of Inspector Jaquan Rio had received from Mr. Kagiso, he keyed into the computer that had been connected to his AD and Pastolium.
Rio narrowed his eyes to study the more description that he found on the national registry.
Inspector Jaquan grew up in a small town in the west of Slateville where slavery was common. From a young age, Jaquan witnessed the injustices of the system and vowed to fight against them.
Determined to make a difference, Jaquan pursued a career in law enforcement. He joined the Metropolitan Police Service in London, where he quickly distinguished himself as a dedicated and skilled detective.
His experiences growing up in Slateville gave him a unique perspective and a deep understanding of the struggles faced by marginalized communities.
The National Registry didn't just store basic personal details; it also analyzed individuals' personalities and conducted AI assessments of their lives.
The last update on Inspector Jaquan in the system indicated he was still employed in law enforcement, with no mention of his disappearance or dismissal.
Rio leaned back in his chair, arms crossed over his chest, his sharp eyes narrowing at the final line. The government rarely made mistakes like this. If the National Registry hadn't updated Inspector Jaquan's departure from law enforcement, it suggested his disappearance might not be government-related.
However, removing an inspector like Jaquan would require a decision from his superior, inevitably involving the government. Rio rubbed his chin, contemplating the connection between these two matters.
If Inspector Jaquan hadn't officially left law enforcement, yet he was missing, it hinted at something sinister lurking beneath the surface.
With a determined exhale, Rio tapped into his AD, accessing the government's central tracking system. The Pastolium part in his body hummed to life as he navigated through the database, his fingers dancing across the keyboard.
After several minutes of intense searching, Rio finally found a trace of Inspector Jaquan's last known location.
The tracking system utilized a person's neural activities and body movements combined to identify them. Similar to fingerprints, everyone had unique neural activities and ways of moving their joints. Using one of these parameters would be sufficient to locate a person, while using both would ensure no mistakes.
The last known location was his house, according to the personal details that Rio had just searched. However, that was three days ago, when Inspector Jaquan had gone missing.
The National Registry indicated that he was single with no family. It seemed that the only way to gather more information beyond what the AI could analyze would be to speak with his colleagues.
Rio made a mental note to reach out to Inspector Jaquan's colleagues as soon as possible. They might hold valuable information that could shed light on his disappearance.
Identifying the individual likely to provide the most insight wasn't a daunting task for Rio. With a bit of hacking into the system to check their ranks, he could pinpoint those with backgrounds and capabilities akin to Inspector Jaquan's.
Individuals like Jaquan, who had climbed the ranks from the ground up, tended to seek out subordinates with similar backgrounds but slightly inferior capabilities, to avoid the threat of being surpassed.
Among Jaquan's subordinates, one name stood out as meeting these criteria: Officer Yamane.